Olivia Rodrigo’s debut festival, Daisy Chain Fields, received acclaim for its lineup exclusively featuring women and its dedication to supporting reproductive rights and combatting gender-based violence. While many vendors praised their participation, the festival faced criticism this week from two vendors who claimed they faced unfavorable working conditions and delayed payments.
Both vendors have now confirmed that they have been fully compensated. Mary Chacon, the owner of Ugly Oats Kitchen, one of the vendors, shared on Instagram that executives from Daisy Chain Fields reached out to discuss their concerns and were understanding and committed to addressing the issues.
The single-day event attracted a large crowd to Great Park in Irvine, California, to enjoy performances from artists such as Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, Bikini Kill, and Olivia Rodrigo herself. All artists volunteered their performances, with proceeds from the festival benefiting 10 organizations supporting women’s rights, including Planned Parenthood and the National Women’s Law Center.
Initially raising $10 million, the funds were doubled to $20 million through a matching donation from Melinda French Gates. Over 50 food and beverage vendors participated in the festival, with many expressing satisfaction with their involvement in the days following the event.
Bubble tea vendor Buo Buo and Filipino cuisine specialist Mano Po shared their positive experiences at the festival on social media, emphasizing the empowering atmosphere created by the event’s focus on women. However, two vendors later revealed challenges they faced during the festival, including poor communication and payment delays.
Despite these issues, both vendors eventually received their payments and praised the festival organizers for their responsiveness. Olivia Rodrigo’s team, as well as the event production company C3 Presents, and the vendor management companies, DLS Events, and Jetty Event Productions, are being sought for comments by CBC News.
Another vendor, Por Suerte, also reported payment delays but later confirmed receiving their payment and praised the organizers for their receptiveness to feedback. Olivia Rodrigo has not publicly addressed the situation.
Daisy Chain Fields stands out as the first music festival to center on women’s and reproductive rights, amidst a history of charity music events. Despite challenges like a heatwave and traffic congestion, the festival has been deemed a success, with plans already in place to host it again next year.
Olivia Rodrigo has been vocal in advocating for reproductive rights, condemning abortion bans as “pro-control” rather than “pro-life.” She has a track record of supporting women-focused charities and continues her philanthropic efforts during her Unraveled tour. Rodrigo described the festival as a career highlight, emphasizing the collective sense of hope and care for others it inspired.